16th November
Press Association 2018
A rare hoopoe bird has been
spotted in Angus after it was blown off course on its autumn migration.
Birdwatchers have been flocking
to the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Montrose Basin Wildlife Reserve since the
bird arrived last week.
Hoopoes do not breed in the UK
but they can be blown off course during spring and autumn migrations between
southern Europe and Africa.
The exotic looking bird, which
has black and white wings, a curved beak and a distinctive crest, has been seen
at various locations around the Basin over the past week and appears to be
doing well.
A Scottish Wildlife Trust
spokesman said on Friday: “It has been seen several times today and is feeding
and seems quite happy.
“It has attracted a lot of
visitors but it seems to be getting on undisturbed.
“Hoopoes are unlikely to
over-winter in the UK so it should find its way back on course and head back
south.”
Nine hoopoes have been spotted in
Scotland so far this year and on average between five and 20 of the birds
are recorded north of the border annually.
Hoopoes were considered sacred in
ancient Egypt and decorative carvings of the birds have been seen in tombs and
temples.
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